Chapter 1: The Unwanted News

Olivia's POV

The hospital doors slid shut behind me, the cool evening breeze brushing lightly past my face as I stepped outside the building. My hands trembled, clutching firmly to my purse. The feel of the edge of the pregnancy test report inside my purse, made my heart pound gently.

Tensed? Scared? I wasn't sure.

I spotted Ethan's black Mercedes parked at the curb. My heart did a little flip as the sight of him ready to pick me up caused my nerves to relax a bit.

Sliding into the passenger seat, I closed the door softly. The familiar scent of his cologne filled the air and I slowly began to feel relaxed.

I turned my gaze to him, trying to find the right words.

"Ethan, I have something to tell you."

"You really chose this moment to get sick?"

His voice was ice cold as he kept his gaze and his hands glued to the steering wheel.

My mouth hung open, goosebumps forming on my skin, the smile slowly dying off my lips.

"Do you have any idea what kind of damage you're doing to the company right now?" His gaze finally met mine.

"I..." The words stuck in my throat.

I'm pregnant. We're going to have a baby.

Those words hung on my lips, but they couldn't drop—not in this atmosphere.

"The project schedule has already been affected. Do you know how much money we're losing in just one day?"

I lowered my gaze, my eyes dropping to my lap. My fingers intertwined as my nails began to pierce slightly into my skin.

Just a week ago, we had buried his grandfather. Richard Ashford, the man who raised me. The man who brought me into this family. These past seven days, I had handled everything. The funeral arrangements, The company emergencies, Taking care of Ethan while he grieved.

Just this morning, I collapsed during a meeting. I fell right out of my chair.

And this was what he had to say to me? Not even an ounce of sympathy.

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

Ethan's jaw relaxed a little. "It's fine. If your body is okay, just come back to work as soon as possible. The company needs you."

His phone began to buzz, disrupting the awkwardness. He answered immediately.

"Yes. No, push the meeting to tomorrow. Tell them we'll have the numbers by then."

I turned my face to the window. My reflection stared back at me, pale and hollow. He didn't care to ask what the doctor said. Didn't ask if I was okay.

I could feel exhaustion flowing through me and I couldn't tell if it was the baby, or the stress.

My eyes drifted to the back seat, catching sight of the small blue box sitting beautiful.

It was from Tiffany & Co.

My breath caught in my throat as I felt the knot in my chest loosen just a little.

I would have never expected that he would get me something from my favorite jewelry shop.

He did care, he just wasn't good at showing it.

I turned my gaze back to Ethan, watching him end the call and letting out a long breath. "See? There are too many things going on. The company really can't run without you."

I could feel guilt creel up my spine. Maybe I really had caused problems by fainting. The project was important, Millions of dollars were on the line. I really couldn't blame him for being upset.

"I'll come in tomorrow," I said quietly.

"Good."

Our voices died down as the car engine roared to life. The rest of the drive passed in total silence.

***

I could see the planted house lights beaming from a distance as we pulled into the driveway. I ran my hand down my face, the brightness already giving me an irk. We usually kept the lights low to save energy. Besides, the brightness wasn't really necessary.

I stepped out of the car, leaving Ethan behind to gather up his things.

The moment I walked through the front door, I froze.

Catherine Ashford, who is Ethan’s mother and unfortunately my mother-in-law, stood in the middle of the living room, arms crossed and a frown as always.

"Oh, look who decided to come home." Catherine's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Done with your little hospital vacation?"

"Mother." Ethan's tone held a warning. I hadn't even realized he had walked in.

"What? I'm just saying what everyone's thinking. She fakes being sick to get out of work, and you run to her rescue like she's made of glass."

My hands clenched into fists. "Why exactly would I fake an illness?"

"Because, you young girls are all the same. A little headache and you act like you're dying." Catherine waved her hand dismissively. "Well, since you're back, make yourself useful. Mara is coming home tonight and this house is a mess."

I looked around.

What house was a mess? From where I was standing, the house was spotless.

I had three maids working full time, why would the house ever be a mess?

"The maids can..."

"I'm talking to you, not the maids." Her words came out firmly, her eyes leaving no room for excuses. "My daughter is coming back after years abroad. I want this house to be perfect. Start with the living room."

Was she joking? I had fainted earlier and no one cared to know what the cause was.

Getting angry wasn't what I needed. Besides, it wouldn't be good for the baby.

I turned my gaze to the stairs and began to walk towards it.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"To rest. I just came from the hospital."

"Rest? REST?" Catherine's voice rose to a shriek. "You lazy, ungrateful..."

"Enough!" Ethan's voice boomed through the room.

Catherine spun on him. "Don't you dare take that tone with me! I'm your mother!"

"And she's my wife."

"Wife? WIFE? She doesn't even have a child yet and you're already spoiling her like this! She doesn't respect me. She doesn't respect this family!"

I didn't wait to hear more. I climbed the stairs, each step feeling like a mountain. My body ached, My head pounded and I felt I was losing strength with every step I took.

I reached the bedroom and collapsed onto the bed. The shouting that came from downstairs began to muffle now.

My hand moved to my stomach. Flat, empty looking—but not empty.

Ethan's baby was growing inside of me. A baby he didn't know about, a baby that would lighten the weight upon my shoulders.

As I thought to myself, my eyelids began to drop. Every sound around me dying down until I was surrounded by nothing but darkness.

***

The constant laughter from downstairs woke me up.

I blinked in the darkness, turning my gaze to the bedside clock that read 7:47 PM. I slept for almost three hours.

Was Mara here already?

I sat up slowly, my head still hurting slight. I needed to head downstairs, It would be rude not to greet Ethan's sister…even if that sister was technically his stepsister.

I dragged myself off the bed, pushing myself towards the bathroom. I felt the temperature of my skin drop as I splashed the cold water on my face. I was too tired to fix my hair, too tired to change my outfit.

Come to think of it, why didn't Ethan wake me? Didn't he want me to meet Mara?

I made my way downstairs, clutching the railing like I was going to fall any minute. Chattering floated from the dining room, everyone sounding like they were having a lovely time.

I stepped into the doorway, my footsteps almost silent. I came to a stop as my eyes slowly scanned the dinning room.

Catherine sat at the head of the table like the lady of the house, her face beaming as she held up her red wine glass in her hand. Ethan sat to her right, his features neutral and across from him sat a young woman. She swept her long dark hair slightly, her warm smile illuminated her glowy skin.

I felt my breath hang in my throat the moment my eyes dropped to her neck.

That soft delicate look, diamonds that sparkled under the chandelier light.

It was the same necklace that had been in the blue Tiffany box in Ethan's car.

The same necklace from my favorite jewelry brand.

The necklace I thought was for me.

My hand gripped the doorframe. The room tilted slightly as I started to feel the ground shake underneath my feet.

"Oh!" The dark haired woman looked up, a soft smile appearing on her face. "You must be Olivia. I'm Mara. It's so nice to finally meet you."

Her fingers touched the diamond necklace as she spoke, her eyes were locked on me.

I felt the air die out of my lungs almost immediately.